Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus is provided which is capable of realizing a uniform display even at a high definition and offering a widened operating temperature. A signal line is formed on a signal line through an intervening insulating layer in an active-matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus of MIM drive type. MIM devices as two-terminal nonlinear devices are formed between each pixel electrode and the signal lines. The MIM devices are formed to operate in different operating temperature ranges. By selecting one of the signal lines to be supplied with a driving signal to achieve switching between the MIM devices, the pixel electrode associated therewith can operate within a wider operating temperature range. The respective resistances of the signal lines and/or MIM devices associated with each pixel electrode are adjusted so as to be equalized throughout all the pixel electrodes, thereby lessening a non-uniform display to ensure a uniform display.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display apparatus is provided which is capable of realizing a uniform display even at a high definition and offering a widened operating temperature. A signal line is formed on a signal line through an intervening insulating layer in an active-matrix type liquid crystal display apparatus of MIM drive type. MIM devices as two-terminal nonlinear devices are formed between each pixel electrode and the signal lines. The MIM devices are formed to operate in different operating temperature ranges. By selecting one of the signal lines to be supplied with a driving signal to achieve switching between the MIM devices, the pixel electrode associated therewith can operate within a wider operating temperature range. The respective resistances of the signal lines and/or MIM devices associated with each pixel electrode are adjusted so as to be equalized throughout all the pixel electrodes, thereby lessening a non-uniform display to ensure a uniform display.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of the invention includes a pair of substrates and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the pair of substrates. A plurality of pixel electrodes is arranged in matrix on the surface facing the liquid crystal layer of at least one of the pair of substrates. A plurality of signal lines and a plurality of two-terminal nonlinear elements are formed. An individual one of the two-terminal nonlinear elements is connected to one of the pixel electrodes associated with the individual two-terminal nonlinear element and one of the signal lines associated with the individual two-terminal nonlinear element. The two-terminal nonlinear element includes: a lower electrode connected to the associated signal line, an insulator formed so as to cover the lower electrode, and an upper electrode connected to the associated pixel electrode.

Abstract: A two-terminal nonlinear element for a liquid crystal display device, which is connected to a corresponding one of pixel electrodes of the liquid crystal display device, includes: a lower electrode connected to a signal line formed on one substrate of the liquid crystal display device; an insulating film formed on a surface of the lower electrode; and an upper electrode formed to face the lower electrode via the insulating film and connected to the corresponding one of the pixel electrodes. The insulating film has a first portion interposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode and a second portion surrounding the upper electrode and having a thickness larger than that of the first portion, and the first and second portions of the insulating film are made of a same metal oxide produced by anodization.

Abstract: When an anodized film is to be formed, one formation-voltage input point is used. An interconnecting ring for anodization is provided between the input point and a pattern to be anodized. The interconnecting ring is in contact with and encloses the pattern. Another interconnecting ring to which the formation-voltage input point is connected is provided around the interconnecting ring. In addition, two junction points are provided at vertically symmetric positions with respect to the pattern. The junction points are connected to the interconnecting ring. The junction points are connected to upper connection terminals and lower connection terminals of the pattern by respective thin-line groups including a plurality of thin lines. The formation voltages at respective input points at the upper connection terminals and the lower connection terminals of the pattern are made equal to each other.

Abstract: A two-terminal nonlinear device according to the present invention includes a lower electrode of a thin Ta film doped with nitrogen which is formed on a substrate, an anodized oxide film formed by anodizing a surface of the lower electrode, and an upper electrode of a metal thin film which is formed on the anodized oxide film, wherein the thin Ta film includes a structure in which first portions and second portions are alternately deposited, the first portions containing a different amount of nitrogen from that contained in the second portions.

Abstract: An active matrix substrate according to the present invention comprises an insulating substrate; a pixel electrode formed on the insulating substrate; a signal line for supplying a signal charge to the pixel electrode; a two-terminal nonlinear device including a lower electrode formed on the insulating substrate, an insulator covering the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the insulator, the device changing a current which flows through the insulator in accordance with a voltage applied to the lower electrode and the upper electrode; and an island portion for connecting the upper electrode to the pixel electrode, the island portion making ohmic contact with each of the upper electrode and the pixel electrode.

Abstract: The invention increases the aperture ratio of a reflective type liquid crystal display device and raises the display quality. First conductor layers are formed in a band on a surface of a substrate, and insulator layers are formed on the surface thereof. Second conductor layers are formed on the insulator layers. The first conductor layers, insulator layers, and second conductor layers are so-called MIM elements and the first conductor layers are also signal wirings. The second conductor layers are also reflectors and pixel electrodes. Such substrate is disposed on substrate on which band-shaped counter electrodes are formed through a liquid crystal layer containing dichroic pigment or a high molecular resin layer dispersing liquid crystal.

Abstract: A two-terminal nonlinear device according to the present invention includes a lower electrode of a thin Ta film doped with nitrogen which is formed on a substrate, an anodized oxide film formed by anodizing a surface of the lower electrode, and an upper electrode of a metal thin film which is formed on the anodized oxide film, wherein the thin Ta film includes a structure in which first portions and second portions are alternately deposited, the first portions containing a different amount of nitrogen from that contained in the second portions.